The Journal - Cassie Joneshttp://www.journalmpls.com/authors/cassie-jones
enCycling Museum of Minnesota in progresshttp://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/cycling-museum-of-minnesota-in-progress
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<span class="field-slideshow-caption-text">Some of the bikes in the Cycling Museum of Minnesota collection.</span>
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Cassie Jones</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>HOLLAND — After years of going out to gather used bikes to be fixed and sold at his shop, Recovery Bike Shop owner Brent Fuqua witnessed the same phenomenon repeatedly: Someone would gather bikes and keep them as a private collection, but once the collector died, the family would sell the collection off and the small museums and pieces of history vanished.</p>
<p>One year ago, Fuqua purchased property at <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=2504+Central+Ave.+NE+minneapolis&amp;sll=45.013418,-93.247764&amp;client=safari&amp;oe=UTF-8&amp;hnear=2504+Central+Ave+NE,+Minneapolis,+Minnesota+55418&amp;t=h&amp;z=17" target="_blank">2504 Central Ave. NE</a> and considered creating a public bike museum in the property’s extra space. Fuqua brought the idea to his friend and dedicated bike collector Juston Anderson, and the Cycling Museum of Minnesota was born.</p>
<p>“It dawned on me right away that this needed to be something that owned itself and that needed to be set up from the beginning to exist into future generations well beyond when we’re all standing here,” Fuqua said.</p>
<p>Anderson was the first to contribute to the museum’s collection after showing some of his antique bikes at the State Fair last year. Fuqua says the project has gone seamlessly ever since.</p>
<p>“That’s part of the indicators for us that it’s really the right thing to do. It seems like everywhere we take a step forward to, the heavens kind of open,” he said.</p>
<p>Nina Clark, who has worked in museums and cultural centers for nearly twenty years, got involved in the museum after receiving an email from the Minnesota Historical Society. She now serves as the secretary of the board for the Cycling Museum of Minnesota.</p>
<p>Clark said all great museums have a great story to tell and the story of cycling in Minneapolis is important.</p>
<p>“You don’t have to do a lot of digging to find evidence of how important cycling was as the city was forming 110, 115 years ago. It has everything to do with what we see around the lakes, around the parks, the Grand Rounds system — and then (we) come to find there were a lot of bike shops here on Central Avenue 100 years ago,” Clark said.</p>
<p>The museum aims to showcase many different facets of cycling ranging from racing to bike messengers. Its goal is also to pay tribute to the collectors and others who work to preserve the history and culture of cycling, especially in Minnesota.</p>
<p>“We’re not about supplanting the work that other people are doing; we’re about augmenting that,” Clark said.</p>
<p>There are five pop-up exhibits in the works right now. “Everybody Rides” will be centered on the world’s collective participation in bicycling. “The Race is On” will showcase bike racing and feature a bike from the Optum Pro Cycling Team. “Minnesota Made,” will feature many different vintage bikes made in Minnesota, including a bike from one of the first messengers in the Minnesota Bike Messenger Association and the prototype fat bike from Surly Bikes based in Minneapolis. “Good Roads” will highlight the impact cyclists had on the Good Roads Movement, which transitioned the country to paved roads at the turn of the last century. “The Biking Life" will aim to motivate people to ride more in the future.</p>
<p>“Cycling is something we all feel really passionate about going forward, and there are issues around environmental sustainability, there’s issues around health and fitness, there’s issues around transit infrastructure, saving money — I mean, there’s just all kinds of social issues,” Clark said.</p>
<p>Currently the project has a board of directors and a collections management policy with the Minnesota Historical Society to ensure the collection does not get out of control. The Northeast Community Development Corporation is fiscally sponsoring the museum until it becomes an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.</p>
<p>The museum will not be officially open until sometime in 2015. For more information visit the museum’s website, <a href="http://cmm.bike/" target="_blank">cmm.bike</a>, or email <a href="mailto:info@cmm.bike">info@cmm.bike</a>.</p>
</div></div></div>Wed, 23 Jul 2014 18:06:44 +0000Dylan Thomas23323 at http://www.journalmpls.comhttp://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/cycling-museum-of-minnesota-in-progress#commentsJuly 19 is Creative City Challenge Play Dayhttp://www.journalmpls.com/news/news/july-19-is-creative-city-challenge-play-day
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<span class="field-slideshow-caption-text">The Balancing Ground art installation near the Convention Center. </span>
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Cassie Jones</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 19 the public is invited to engage in free activities and musical performances as a part of Play Day at the Minneapolis Convention Center Plaza’s <a href="http://www.minneapolis.org/balancing-ground" target="_blank">Balancing Ground </a>public art space. Play Day is a part of the Aquatennial and is one of three Creative City Challenge events taking place this summer.</p>
<p>Staring at 10 a.m., Ross Hackenmiller will lead a Social Jam Session that encourages everyone in attendance to pick up instruments and make noise. At noon, artist Amanda Lovelee and square dance caller Ann Carter will host Call and Answer, a program about balance on the dance floor and connecting with others through hand holding. See a past Call and Answer session at <a href="http://vimeo.com/28604409">http://vimeo.com/28604409</a>.</p>
<p>At 2 p.m., Music of the Sun (MOTS) will take over. MOTS is an outdoor music program that relies on solar and bicycle power. The trio of Tim Donahue, Charlie Henrikson and John Vance bike some of Minneapolis’ bike trails to charge up their musical and solar gear before they arrive in the plaza to play music that blurs the lines between familiar and abstract.</p>
<p>The event will also have a variety of activities that people of all ages can participate in, including massages, electric hopscotch, DIY activities and arcade games. Artists and projects participating include Function Massage and Acupuncture, Temporary Table Tennis Trailer, Dosha Kitchen, Daytime Post, Leonardo’s Basement, Play From Scratch, YOXO, the Arcade Backpack and Electric Hopscotch. Musical performances will take place all day on the Balancing Ground stage. For more detailed descriptions visit <a href="http://www.minneapolis.org/event/play-day-plaza">http://www.minneapolis.org/event/play-day-plaza</a>. </p>
</div></div></div>Wed, 16 Jul 2014 16:29:10 +0000Sarah McKenzie23283 at http://www.journalmpls.comhttp://www.journalmpls.com/news/news/july-19-is-creative-city-challenge-play-day#commentsExpectations high for All-Star Week http://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/expectations-high-for-all-star-week
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<span class="field-slideshow-caption-text">Minnesota Twins President Dave St. Peter and other community leaders gathered outside of Target Field on Wednesday to discuss plans for All-Star Week. </span>
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<span class="field-slideshow-credit-text">Photo by Cassie Jones</span>
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Cassie Jones</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Minnesota Twins President Dave St. Peter said the team is eager to showcase Target Field and all that Minneapolis has to offer during All-Star Week during a press briefing outside the ballpark Wednesday. </p>
<p>“One of the things that’s going to be great about this All-Star game is the urban nature of this site: the connections via transit, the walkability of our city, the intimacy, really, of our Downtown Minneapolis. And that will be a wonderful showcase, and I think, a difference maker relative to this All-Star Game,” St. Peter said. “Beyond that and in the same vein, is the sustainability platform of Target Field. That will be on an international stage, and I can tell you that’s something that we’re going to talk a lot about in the days to come.”</p>
<p>Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges said the city is ready for All-Star festivities, adding investments in transit and the Downtown Improvement District are going to be crucial to welcoming and assisting visitors throughout the weekend.</p>
<p>CEO of Meet Minneapolis Melvin Tennant said that Minneapolis should expect to have more than 160,000 visitors in the city over the course of All-Star Week, which kicks off Friday and leads up to the All-Star Game on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Senior Vice President and General Counsel for MLB Ethan Orlinsky warned fans about the dangers of purchasing counterfeit merchandise and how to differentiate between real and fake.</p>
<p>“Working with the other leagues and the collegiate licensing company, we’ve worked in seizing about 10.8 million units of [counterfeit] merchandise over the last 20 years, and the value of all that is about $400,000 million, just to give you some context for the issue,” he said. </p>
<p>To identify legitimate merchandise, Orlinsky said licensed products have a holographic sticker with the MLB logo, a unique alphanumeric combination that can only be associated with that specific product and raised red stitching. Licensed products also never bear cut-neck labels.</p>
<p>“As for tickets, quite frankly people have gotten very sophisticated, particularly with the print-at-home type of tickets, so our admonition is two-fold. One is make sure you’re only buying from people from whom you’ve purchased before, and buyer beware. Because if your experience is that you’ve been ripped off before, chances are people are going to try to do that again,” Orlinksy said.</p>
<p>Minneapolis City Council President Barb Johnson mentioned that there will be traffic closures and lane changes to accommodate the traffic downtown, but encourages people to be patient. St. Peter encouraged fans to arrive early. </p>
<p>“Plan to arrive at the ballpark early, I will tell you; you won’t be disappointed in terms of the experience inside the ballpark,” St. Peter said.</p>
<p>Metro Transit has also announced additional service for All-Star Week. For details, click <a href="https://www.metrotransit.org/all-star-game" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>
<p>Some Northstar trains will make special trips to All-Star events between July 12 and 15 and extra Green and Blue light-rail line trains will also be in service as needed. </p>
<p>Select Nicollet Mall buses will be providing free service to the T-Mobile All-Star Fan Fest at the Minneapolis Convention Center and some buses go to the Ramp B/ 5<sup>th</sup> Street Transit Center next to Target Field.</p>
<p>Some bus services will be affected by temporary road closures during the festivities. During the Red Carpet Parade, buses will be detoured from Nicollet Mall to Hennepin Avenue beginning the night of Monday, July 14 to Tuesday, July 15. Bus operations on 7<sup>th</sup> Street between Marquette Avenue and 10<sup>th</sup> Street North will also be affected by the parade. Additional detours will be in effect on Twins Way and near the convention center. For route-specific information visit <a href="https://www.metrotransit.org/rider-alerts">https://www.metrotransit.org/rider-alerts</a>.</p>
<p>Discounted, round-trip family passes are available for purchase for Northstar and METRO lines. Commemorative All-Star Week Go-To cards with $20 stored fare value are also available. </p>
</div></div></div>Thu, 10 Jul 2014 19:08:50 +0000Sarah McKenzie23250 at http://www.journalmpls.comhttp://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/expectations-high-for-all-star-week#commentsCrowd-sourced social bike ride festival Pedalopolis to hit the Twin Cities July 15http://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/crowd-sourced-social-bike-ride-festival-pedalopolis-to-hit-the-twin-cities-july-15
<div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Cassie Jones</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Twin Cities BIKEFUN! has organized the first <a href="http://www.tcbikefun.org/pedalopolis" target="_blank">Pedalopolis</a>, a crowd-sourced social bike ride festival that will be taking place at various sites around Minneapolis and St. Paul from July 15 to 20. </p>
<p>Pedalopolis will begin with a parade meeting at Gold Medal Park at 5 p.m. on July 15. The parade will leave at 6 p.m. and end at Powderhorn Park, where a potluck barbecue will be waiting. Pedal Bear, a pedal-powered Polar Bear created by the Crank Art Collective will be featured in the parade.</p>
<p>Once the parade is over, there will be a variety of bike rides that anyone can participate in. These rides have been created by members of the community and have different themes. There are storytelling rides, meditation themed rides and rides that will take you on a tour.</p>
<p>The closing event of Pedalopolis will be the Short Jorts dance party, where community members are encouraged to wear their shortest jean shorts. The party will be held at 10 p.m. on July 19 at the Bedlam Lowertown in St. Paul. Music will be provided by the River City Soul Collective.</p>
<p>To see the current list of rides visit <a href="http://www.tcbikefun.org/pedalopolis">http://www.tcbikefun.org/pedalopolis</a>. A printed calendar has also been distributed to bike shops across the city. If you would like to submit a ride, it will not be featured in the printed calendar, but it will be featured online. </p>
</div></div></div>Tue, 08 Jul 2014 21:12:32 +0000Sarah McKenzie23240 at http://www.journalmpls.comhttp://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/crowd-sourced-social-bike-ride-festival-pedalopolis-to-hit-the-twin-cities-july-15#commentsNew food truck focuses on healthy fare http://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/new-food-truck-focuses-on-healthy-fare
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<span class="field-slideshow-caption-text">Green + The Grain food truck owner Tiffany Hauser.</span>
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Cassie Jones</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>A new food truck is drawing customers in with its fast casual salads and organic frozen yogurt, providing alternative options to fried food.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greenandthegrain.com/" target="_blank">Green + The Grain</a> has a weekly rotating menu of options that can be either a salad or a wrap. The price range is between $9 and $10.50 plus tax.</p>
<p>“Week to week there’s a new salad that we’ll try to introduce or we’ll kind of circle back and do something […] that was favorited or that people enjoyed,” said owner Tiffany Hauser. “The Cowboy, the Asian, the Berry, for sure, is super popular, so we try to rotate those three. We also have a Buffalo Shrimp Caesar that’s like super popular.”</p>
<p>Green + The Grain also serves Cloud Top organic signature tart frozen yogurt with an assortment of toppings, including fresh berries, organic granola and several other healthier options. A small cup is $4 and a large is $6.</p>
<p>Hauser said the concept is unique to food trucks and her inspiration came from the lack of healthy, on-the-go options for lunch downtown. Originally, she proposed to launch the concept into the skyway but did not get enough financing to make it happen. After a year of trying, Hauser decided to look into more feasible options. </p>
<p>“At first […], we weren’t sure that the concept would work because everything’s fresh, everything’s made to order, you know, we have all these stainless steel bowls, you know, there’s just a lot of logistical pieces that we were kind of unsure of, and then the more and more we kind of put it on paper, the more and more we were like, you know, we could literally be up and running in a couple of months,” Hauser said.</p>
<p>As the daughter of restaurant owners, Hauser has been in the industry for a long time and knows the work that goes into being successful, but has a new appreciation for food trucks.</p>
<p>“I think it’s just since it’s mobile, it makes everything 10 times harder because you have limited water supply, you have to hook things up to your generator in order to get power, there’s just like all these things that most people who work in a restaurant industry you know might take for granted,” she said.</p>
<p>Hauser also mentioned that about 20 businesses share a kitchen for cooking and cleaning, which she must reserve a time slot to use. </p>
<p>Although operating Green + The Grain takes a lot of hard work, Hauser said it is also really rewarding and she appreciates the flexibility and independence that comes along with it.</p>
<p>“My favorite thing about it is that I'm in charge of my own destiny. I like that if things aren't going a certain way or if we're not successful in one aspect of it then we have to regroup and rethink about it and then do something else. I like the ability to kind of create your own success towards it a little bit, just because you basically can do whatever it is that you want to do,” Hauser said.</p>
<p>Hauser hopes to expand the concept into either the skyway or a full restaurant in the future.</p>
<p>Typically, Green + The Grain can be found along Marquette or South 6th Street and South 2nd Avenue. </p>
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</div></div></div>Tue, 08 Jul 2014 17:30:34 +0000Sarah McKenzie23233 at http://www.journalmpls.comhttp://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/new-food-truck-focuses-on-healthy-fare#commentsMetro IBA celebrates local businesses in Julyhttp://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/metro-iba-celebrates-local-businesses-in-july
<div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Cassie Jones</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The <a href="http://www.buylocaltwincities.com/" target="_blank">Metro Independent Business Association (IBA)</a> is celebrating and promoting buying local in the month of July with a weekly drawing for $600 in gift cards from each of the 25 independent businesses participating. Drawings will take place on July 10, 17, 24 and 31.</p>
<p>The purpose of Celebrate Your Independents month is to raise awareness of the importance and the benefits of buying local, which impact both the relationships within communities and local economies, according to Chris Hanson, CEO and founder of Data Bank and president of the Metro IBA.</p>
<p>"When I think about independent businesses and buying local, I think about two things: I think about the social benefits of buying from local communities, building those relationships […], well they’re our neighbors, they’re our family, our friends, they’re people in our community everyday. They have the benefit of working for a great company that provides good wages and good salaries and is responsible to our communities,” Hanson said. “If we also look at the economic benefits, that’s where it really becomes powerful. We’re looking to build sustainable economies where we reinvest in our communities. Buying local […] is really the way to go because we know looking at the data that when you buy from a local company, that money stays in the community, it’s reinvested in the community.”</p>
<p>In order to enter into the drawing, participants must register online at <a href="http://www.buylocaltwincities.com/cyi">http://www.buylocaltwincities.com/cyi</a>. Participants can increase the chance of winning by visiting each of the 25 participating businesses and receiving an additional entry code for each visit. Participants can only enter 26 times.</p>
<p>A list of businesses participating in the promotion can be found at <a href="http://www.buylocaltwincities.com/cyi/participating-businesses">http://www.buylocaltwincities.com/cyi/participating-businesses</a>.</p>
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</div></div></div>Thu, 03 Jul 2014 15:57:42 +0000Sarah McKenzie23222 at http://www.journalmpls.comhttp://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/metro-iba-celebrates-local-businesses-in-july#commentsElliot Park church holding open house for new I-94 exit ramp projecthttp://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/elliot-park-church-holding-open-house-for-new-i-94-exit-ramp-project
<div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Cassie Jones</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are holding a second open house today, 4:30–7 p.m., at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 720 13th Ave. S., for the <a href="http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cip/all/WCMS1P-121854" target="_blank">I-94W to 7th Street Ramp Project</a>. </p>
<p>Residents and local businesses will be able to ask questions and provide feedback on the design of the new ramp.</p>
<p>The current design plan is to install a new off-ramp from westbound Interstate 94 to 7th Street and provide roadway improvements to 7th Street between 13th and 11th avenues. The existing 5th Street ramp from westbound I-94 will be closed and reused for a different project after the 7th Street ramp opens.</p>
<p>Limited parking is available onsite, but several bus routes have stops nearby, including Metro Transit Route 14.</p>
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</div></div></div>Mon, 30 Jun 2014 18:39:51 +0000Sarah McKenzie23199 at http://www.journalmpls.comhttp://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/elliot-park-church-holding-open-house-for-new-i-94-exit-ramp-project#commentsNew crowd-sourced fashion boutique opens downtown http://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/new-crowd-sourced-fashion-boutique-opens-downtown
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<span class="field-slideshow-credit-text">Photo courtesy OOTN Magazine </span>
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Cassie Jones</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>DeSean Mills, 24, has built a community of almost 300,000 on social media in the past year for <a href="http://www.ootnmagazine.com/" target="_blank">OOTN Magazine</a>, an online look book of crowd-sourced fashion. Now, Mills is bringing this platform to life through OOTN Lifestyle, a retail store at 99 S. 10th St.</p>
<p>Mills said he has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and loved to create new things. At 17 he was managing a retail store and soon after became a buyer for the store, which boosted his interest in style.</p>
<p>His idea for OOTN Magazine sprouted from his interest in people practicing their own style and being comfortable in what they wear rather than being concerned with brands. He began promoting individual style with the OOTN Magazine account on Instagram, telling people to share their “outfit of the day/night” through the hashtag, #ootnmagazine, and from there Mills said he would repost the photos with outfits he liked best.</p>
<p>In just one month, he went from receiving 100 pictures per day to 3,000 with the help of bloggers. </p>
<p>“So for the first month, I think I sent out maybe 500 emails to just bloggers all over the world like, you know, this so what we do, if you want to be a part of it then you can help promote,” Mills said. “Out of that 500 bloggers, like three responded […] and we just went from there. As soon as I got those three on board, that was it, I was like I got what I need, because those three alone had a community of over 200,000 people. And it’s been just all word of mouth. You know, we haven’t done any advertising and marketing, it’s just been like people hearing about it and checking us out and saying, ‘I support this.’ The challenging part was just the first month but now it’s a piece of cake.”</p>
<p>With only four other people helping him, Mills has built the platform to massive heights. On June 3, he reached 4.3 million people on Facebook organically, without paid advertising. Today on Instagram, #ootnmagazine generates almost 212,000 tags.</p>
<p>After building the community, Mills wanted to find a way to monetize his idea, and he turned to retail. OOTN Lifestyle was the result, and today the store specializes in crowd-sourced clothing. Mills gathered input from his followers to determine what would be sold in the store, and that is what he is selling.</p>
<p>“We tend to like work with people from our community. That inspires us too. We don’t inspire anything; it’s these people who inspire everything. So working with them, you know. It’s fun,” Mills said.</p>
<p>The price range for clothing is between $40 and $175 and the store does not hold sales, although Mills said there is a daily social hour between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. where wine is served and customers receive 15 percent off everything in the store.</p>
<p>In the future, Mills has many events he would like to organize to expand Minneapolis’ involvement in his brand, including live look books in the Mall of America, on Nicollet Avenue and in Uptown.</p>
<p>The OOTN Magazine website is currently under construction and Mills hopes to reveal it in the mid fall.</p>
<p>“We can put anything out there, you know, but we really want to change retail. Because I feel like the current retail model is so obsolete, so we want to introduce a new model for retail with online and offline shopping experience. And we also want to change the way people see personal style, where it’s not about brands, but it’s really about who you are, how you feel and what you feel comfortable in,” Mills said.</p>
<p>His goal is to make the site user-friendly enough where people can put together outfits and buy all the products in one click through his online store, unlike Polyvore, in which users must go to individual vendors to get a single piece of the outfit they have put together.</p>
<p>In the end, Mills’ goal is just to inspire people to be true to themselves through style and in achieving their goals.</p>
<p>“It’s all about inspiring other people, like you can do it. You’re not limited by your location, you know, with technology, you know, you can just be persistent and be determined to do it, and it can really happen. So we want to put it out there to inspire other people to like really go after what they want to do,” Mills said.</p>
<p>OOTN Lifestyle is hosting a social event on Thursday, July 3 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. with desserts, a live DJ and wine.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div>Wed, 25 Jun 2014 16:06:11 +0000Sarah McKenzie23182 at http://www.journalmpls.comhttp://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/new-crowd-sourced-fashion-boutique-opens-downtown#commentsJackson Flats open for artists and families in NE Mplshttp://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/jackson-flats-open-for-artists-and-families-in-ne-mpls
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Cassie Jones</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Artspace's <a href="http://www.artspace.org/our-places/artspace-jackson-flats" target="_blank">Jackson Flats</a> is now open in the Holland neighborhood.</p>
<p>Originally imagined as a condo project for the City of Minneapolis’ Art Action Plan in the 1990s, today Jackson Flats is a 35-unit building of affordable, live/work housing for artists and their families. The building also has two public spaces for residents to curate their own events, performances and exhibits.</p>
<p>“When the housing crisis happened and the market fell apart, that’s when Jackson Flats fell apart, and the principle parties involved came to Artspace and we all worked together to find a way to salvage the project. With a lot of work we put that plan together and […] re-imagined what the project would be,” said Asset Manager of Artspace Greg Foley.</p>
<p>To apply for a unit, artists must income-qualify and not exceed the maximum income level for the apartment they are applying for. There is a range of maximum income levels per each unit that is determined by the applicant’s household size. The maximum income level and the size of the apartment determine the rent for each applicant.</p>
<p>Once applicants have income-qualified they must attend an artist selection interview.</p>
<p>“We have a committee of artists and community members that ask a standard set of questions across all candidates, which allow us to see the work that the artist does without judgment, just to determine a level of commitment and passion that the artist has for their work, and also there’s a second part of questions to that process that also asks about living in an arts community and being community-minded,” Foley said.</p>
<p>“We want a passion for arts, but also a passion for living with a group of people who are engaged and engaging," he added.</p>
<p>Foley said the benefits of living in Jackson Flats are the opportunities to collaborate with neighbors and be exposed to art forms that an artist might not see on a regular basis as well as the opportunity to live in the neighborhood of Northeast Minneapolis, where residents can participate in Art-a-Whirl and First Thursday events.</p>
<p>“The residents that have moved in are so dynamic and wonderful and thoughtful and beautiful that it’s just been a blessing and a joy to have all of them move in and living in the building,” Foley said. “It’s really just tremendous to see the level of involvement across the entire group of artists that are living there.”</p>
<p>Foley hopes to continue to do more events and activities in the building to draw more people to the building to meet the artists living there. </p>
</div></div></div>Tue, 24 Jun 2014 16:52:51 +0000Sarah McKenzie23165 at http://www.journalmpls.comhttp://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/jackson-flats-open-for-artists-and-families-in-ne-mpls#comments2014 Pride previewhttp://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/2014-pride-preview
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<span class="field-slideshow-caption-text">A scene from the 2012 Pride parade. </span>
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Cassie Jones</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The 42<sup>nd</sup> Annual Twin Cities Pride Festival is coming up on June 28&amp; 29. To get in the loop, here is a preview of upcoming events. </p>
<p>FRIDAY, JUNE 20:</p>
<p>At 7 p.m. on FRIDAY, JUNE 20, tip off Pride week at the Target Center and watch the 2013 WNBA Champions of the Minnesota Lynx play the Washington Mystics. After the game there is an opportunity to meet some of the players. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at <a href="http://www.tempotickets.com/tempotickets/site/pages/event.php?e=3528&amp;c=312">http://www.tempotickets.com/tempotickets/site/pages/event.php?e=3528&amp;c=312</a>.</p>
<p>SUNDAY, JUNE 22:</p>
<p>From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on SUNDAY, JUNE 22, there is a free Pride Family Picnic at Midway Stadium, 1771 Energy Park Dr. in St. Paul. After the picnic, there is an option to watch the St. Paul Saints play the Rockland Boulders at 1:05 p.m. in block RF1. Tickets are $9 and can be purchased at <a href="http://www.saintsgroups.com">www.saintsgroups.com</a> with the password “tcpride.” Picnic attendees are not required to go to the game.</p>
<p>THURSDAY, JUNE 26:</p>
<p>At 8 p.m. on THURSDAY, JUNE 26, comedian Margaret Cho will perform stand-up at Orchestra Hall at 1111 Nicollet Mall to officially open the four-day Twin Cities Pride Celebration weekend. Nothing is off limits for Cho, whose comedy is known for being politically charged and socially aware. Ticket prices range from $39.50 to $153.50 and can be purchased at the Orchestra Hall Box Office, Minnesota Orchestra Administrative Offices or online at <a href="http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buy/tickets/browse-calendar/eventdetail/280/-/twin-cities-pride-presents-margaret-cho#.U6HTokZ3xQd">http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buy/tickets/browse-calendar/eventdetail/280/-/twin-cities-pride-presents-margaret-cho#.U6HTokZ3xQd</a>.</p>
<p>Premium seating includes a reception with an open bar from 5:30 to 8 p.m. as well as a 2014 Pride pin, and free admission for one person to the 2014 Pride in Concert and Pride Festival Beer Gardens. </p>
<p>FRIDAY, JUNE 27:</p>
<p>From 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on FRIDAY, JUNE 27, the Beer Dabbler returns to the Pride Festival for the third year in a row in Loring Park. Attendees will be able to sample food and drinks from 25 local breweries and 25 local food trucks or carts. Each brewery and food truck or cart will be paired together and create a food option and craft beer sample for $3 per pairing. Attendees will also enjoy live music, a Silent Disco and games and activities. General admission tickets are $48 and include unlimited beer samples. Designated Driver tickets are $10. All ticket holders must be 21 or older on the day of the event. Tickets can be purchased at <a href="http://thebeerdabbler.com/buy-tickets/">http://thebeerdabbler.com/buy-tickets/</a>. </p>
<p>SATURDAY, JUNE 28:</p>
<p>The Pride Festival kicks off at 10 a.m. on SATURDAY, JUNE 28 at Loring Park, 1382 Willow St. Admission is free, but an ID check and Beer Garden wristband costs $5. The festival will have over 400 exhibitors and 40 food and beverage booths and expected attendance is over 300,000.</p>
<p>Throughout the festival over 80 local artists will be performing on four stages, and Pride in Concert will be held at 5 p.m. on the Loring Stage. Pride in Concert will feature four headliners: pop star Betty Who, country singer Steve Grand, Motown/Disco/R&amp;B singer Thelma Houston and dance &amp; R&amp;B singer Thea Austin. Daytime myTalk 107.1 co-host Bradley Traynor is the emcee for the event. At the end of the night, DJ Rich B will perform with fireworks set to his music.</p>
<p>This event is only for guests 18 and older. General admission tickets are $10 and VIP Lounge tickets are $75. VIP Lounge tickets include complimentary snacks and drinks in a tent next to the stage and a separate entrance to the concert. VIP ticket holders may upgrade to a meet and greet with an artist for $125. The VIP Lounge is for guests 21 and older and includes UBER car service. Tickets are available for purchase at <a href="http://www.tempotickets.com/tempotickets/site/pages/event.php?e=3408&amp;c=312">http://www.tempotickets.com/tempotickets/site/pages/event.php?e=3408&amp;c=312</a>.</p>
<p>SUNDAY, JUNE 29:</p>
<p>The Festival continues again from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on SUNDAY, JUNE 29 in Loring Park with the food, music and exhibits, but Sunday is also the day of the Rainbow Run 5K and the Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade.</p>
<p>The Rainbow Run 5K starts at 9:30 a.m. and starts at Boom Island at 724 Sibley St. NE. The route will take runners from Boom Island along Hennepin Avenue while spectators are preparing for the Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade and ends near Loring Park. To see the route, visit <a href="http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=540568">http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=540568</a>.</p>
<p>Participants must maintain a minimum 16-minute mile to participate and the route must be clear by 10:30 a.m. for the parade.</p>
<p>From now until June 26, race fees are $35. On race day, the fee is $40. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. at the Boom Island Park Pavilion. To register, visit <a href="http://www.active.com/mineapolis-mn/running/distance-running-races/twin-cities-pride-rainbow-run-2014">http://www.active.com/mineapolis-mn/running/distance-running-races/twin-cities-pride-rainbow-run-2014</a>.</p>
<p>Following the Rainbow Run 5K is the Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade at 11 a.m. The route starts at 3<sup>rd</sup> and Hennepin and ends at Spruce and Hennepin. There are over 120 units of supporters that make up the parade. Grandstand seats are sold out. SEVEN Sushi and UltraLounge is offering an air-conditioned space for $10. For $25, the All You Can Eat special is open for guests at the 7<sup>th</sup> Annual Bitch ‘n Brunch. For tickets, visit <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/e/7th-annual-bitch-n-brunch-tickets-5356184492">http://www.eventbrite.com/e/7th-annual-bitch-n-brunch-tickets-5356184492</a>.</p>
<p>Finally, all-day Saturday and Sunday, guests have the option to get married at pride for $400. This package includes a location next to the gardens and the lake, one-hour access to a white tent with 50 white chairs and a riser for a wedding party, a changing room tent, PA system for music or a microphone for a musician, an officiant, an on-site coordinator, one-hour rehearsal time on Thursday night, One reserved parking spot for 2.5 hours and a Car2Go getaway car decorated by wedding guests.</p>
<p><em>For more information and to participate, contact Julie Lyford at <a href="mailto:Julie_Lyford@yahoo.com">Julie_Lyford@yahoo.com</a>. </em></p>
</div></div></div>Fri, 20 Jun 2014 15:50:31 +0000Sarah McKenzie23157 at http://www.journalmpls.comhttp://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/2014-pride-preview#comments